A large-scale government facility taking steps towards reducing carbon footprint

Background:

We were approached by a contract catering company with a vision to reduce the carbon footprint of large government facility by installing an in-vessel composting machine. As a company, they had recently set significant environmental targets to be Net Zero by 2030 and launched a Climate Net Zero Toolkit to be implemented across all sites.

Input

6,000kg*

Compost created

800kg*

Waste Reduction

86.7%*

*Figures from first two months.

Site Survey

As the site is large, there were plenty of suitable locations to install the composting machine. However, to ensure the waste management operations remained streamlined it was important to select a location where the machine would fit seamlessly into current processes.

Installation

The final position was a loading bay, close to the facilities’ main restaurant. While being conveniently centrally located, it also provided perfect access for the installation team and the machine was lifted into place via a crane from a flatbed truck. Due to the nature of the underground loading bay, ventilation was already in place to remove vehicle fumes from the space, which the machine’s airflow outlet could be connected up to.

Benefits

The Oklin GG100s composting machine has capacity to process 300kg of food waste per day, allowing the site to move away from bin lorry collections and process all their food waste on site, creating a closed loop system that significantly reduces their carbon footprint.

Not all UK councils have the facility to compost and subsequently, compostable packaging is sent to landfill, where it produces harmful methane gas. By shredding and composting compostable packaging in the machine, the site further reduces their need for environmentally damaging bin lorry collections and ensures that their packaging goes through an environmentally beneficial waste stream.

Outcome

Within two months of installation, the site recorded just over 6000kg of food waste being processed, resulting in 800kg of compost being produced – a reduction in volume of 86.7%.

The compost produced is used on the site grounds, including a market garden growing vegetables and herbs to be used within the catering facility.